When a family or young person is involved in court, it is safe to assume they are experiencing heightened stress. They may be involved in the court system because of a traumatic situation and may have also experienced significant adversity leading up to the situation. Traditional court settings tend to be formal and authoritative and not conducive to a journey toward healing. A “trauma-informed court” is designed to provide a more caring and supportive environment for court-involved families.

What Makes a Court Trauma Informed?

Trauma-informed courts prioritize relationships over events. Supportive judges and multidisciplinary teams work together to create an environment that empowers people to take accountability while at the same time working toward the positive and lasting changes needed to interrupt cycles of court involvement. Trauma-informed courts aim to reduce stress and provide both mental health services for families and children such as child-parent psychotherapy and simple supports like books, toys, and nourishing snacks for young children while they wait.

Some courts are also beginning to incorporate trauma-informed design in physical spaces to create more welcoming, calming environments. (For more information about trauma-informed design, see our blog featuring Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker.)

On December 15, 2022, Pathways to Resilience hosted a Learning Network Session to hear how courts in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee have implemented trauma-informed policies and practices to better support children and families. During the session, Judge Sheila Calloway, Juvenile Court Judge in Davidson County, Tennessee; Mimi Graham, Director of Florida State University’s Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy; and Amelia Thorn, Assistant Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School and member of the North Carolina Chief Justice’s Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts, shared the following best practices for promoting the adoption of trauma-informed courts:

Find a strong champion.

A strong champion is essential to starting and sustaining any new initiative. Judges, particularly chief judges, are seen as leaders in the justice system. By adopting trauma-informed practices, judges can lead by example and help other courtroom professionals incorporate trauma-informed practices in their own work. For many, becoming trauma-informed is a significant culture change that may be met with hesitation, and a champion can lead the way. In North Carolina, the Chief Justice established a Task Force on ACEs-Informed Courts to advance the work.

Partner with community organizations and work toward shared goals.

Courts can seek partnerships with community organizations that are committed to promoting strong families. Davidson County, Tennessee, created its Fostering Resilience Committee as a forum for partners to help shape the court’s programming to match community needs. In Florida, some courts work with the state’s Medicaid agency to connect people with mental health supports.

Support training and professional development for judges.

Most courts already have funding and time dedicated for training and professional development for judges. If judges are already scheduled to gather for a training, a trauma-informed expert could be invited as a presenter. A recent study by the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School found that judges are interested in opportunities for interactive instruction, discussion, and dialogue about applying trauma-informed practices to their courts.

Support all levels of court staff.

During court proceedings, a person will interact with many different professionals, from the judges themselves to others such as magistrates or bailiffs. It is important that all staff are trained in trauma-informed principles to help guide their interactions with court-involved families and youth.

Be creative about funding.

Incorporating the principles of trauma-informed care into your court does not require a dedicated source of new funding. Courts may be able to work within their existing budgets to reallocate unspent funds (e.g., from unfilled positions). The Davidson County Juvenile Court added a grants specialist position to seek out additional funding. Forming partnerships with other community-based, grant-funded organizations can also support the work.

Resources for Building Trauma-Informed Courts

Presenters shared the following resources for learning more about trauma-informed courts.

Watch the full Learning Network session, “How Trauma-Informed Courts Can Improve Outcomes for Children and Families,” below.